Pierre batting second for first time since 2009, Wigginton at clean-up

David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer

Posted:
Sunday, April 29, 2012, 11:27 AM

If there was any doubt that the Jimmy Rollins as No. 3 hitter experiement is over, it was probably eliminated this morning when Charlie Manuel posted his lineup card. With Juan Pierre starting in left field, Manuel still chose to hit Rollins in the leadoff spot, leaving Pierre to bat second for the first time since 2009.

Rollins had a two-run double last night in his return to his usual spot at the top of the order. Manuel started the season batting him third with Chase Utley still working his way back from a knee condition. But Rollins is hitting just .216 with a .253 on base percentage and .243 slugging percentage. His double yesterday was just his second extra base hit of the season.

Pierre has started 189 games in his career in the two-hole, most recently in 2009, when he did it in 14 games.

His numbers in the two-hole are similar to his numbers batting leadoff.

Other line-up notes: Ty Wigginton is batting clean-up for the second time this season as he starts at third base in place of Placido Polanco. Laynce Nix is at first base, with Pierre in left field.

Wigginton has three singles and one strikeout in six at-bats at No. 4 this season. In 174 career starts there, he has a .265/.316/.436 line with 25 home runs and 141 strikeouts in 684 at-bats.

Brian Schneider gets the start today, although that is not necessarily a consequence of the ball that hit Carlos Ruiz in the knee last night. Schneider would ordinarily catch a day game after a night game, particularly with Kyle Kendrick on the mound.